The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is concerned that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is lecturing business and the public sector to lift wages but refuses to give its own workers a decent pay rise.

“An unprecedented strike by workers at Note Printing Australia (NPA) will be the first time the printing of Australian banknotes has been interrupted by industrial action in 107 years,” said Tony Piccolo, AMWU regional secretary, print division.

Mr Piccolo said it was ludicrous that RBA Governor Phillip Lowe had lectured business, industry and public sector employers to lift wages to stimulate economic activity and yet he was attempting to hold wages down in his own organisation.

“Governor Lowe needs to practice what he preaches and resolve this dispute with a fair and reasonable wage increase for staff at NPA,” Mr Piccolo said.

Mr Piccolo said the AMWU was hopeful that NPA would return to the bargaining table instead of attempting to ignore staff who are feeling the effects of increases in the cost of living like everyone else.

“If it is so important to lift wages across the economy then here is a rolled-gold opportunity for the Reserve Bank to show some leadership,” he said.

Workers at NPA have been offered a 2% pay rise, when the RBA is recommending employers need to pay increases of at least 3.5% to kick start the economy.

Unions are also campaigning for domestic violence leave, an updated classification system and full-time jobs for long-standing casual workers who have been on the payroll for up to seven years.

Media comment Tony Piccolo 0425796169

Media contacts (Craigieburn) Mick Bull 0425741961,

John Hill 0412197079

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